Better Roads

April 2014

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Better Roads April 2014 15
Applications & Innovations
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streets, alleys and limited service roads (such as in parks) may
not be plowed at all unless the snow exceeds a certain thresh-
old. Plowing may be minimal or just a track in the center. All
jurisdictions – towns, cities, counties, special road districts and
tollway authorities, tribal, states, provinces, at risk of snow
and ice should have a Winter Maintenance Policy or Opera-
tions Plan. This will address priorities, Levels of Service, tiered
response strategies depending on type and intensity of storms,
handling special emergency situations selection and use of
materials, composition (type and number) of equipment fleet
organizational structure and roles, staffing, training, commu-
nications and tracking, weather forecasts and current condi-
tions reports, as well as documentation, risk management and
public information. This includes declaring a snow emergency
and enacting parking restrictions and vehicle requirements.
It should also clearly state what it is not responsible for (side-
walks and private streets for example, and roads maintained
by others). A sound Winter Operations Policy and Plan is the
blueprint for providing this vital service in the most efficient,
effective and equitable manner.
How do public works
agencies prepare winter
storm strategies and tactics?
The preparation for and commencement
of snow and ice control operations, as
well as overall practices and methods, is
contingent upon varying conditions. For
instance, the Snow Operations Manager
will determine when to begin preparation
for an anticipated storm based on con-
tracted weather service reports. Weather
is quite changeable as storms approach
and Snow Managers often adjust their
tentative plans. Still, most tend to take a
proactive approach as considerable time
is needed to have crews ready. Public
Works personnel are notified when to
report for duty, and the public is typi-
cally informed of issues such as parking
bans, road conditions, and cancellations
through a variety of sources. When
feasible, the public works crews will
pre-treat bridges, overpasses and hills
with salt brine or other materials prior to
when the snowfall is expected. The types
and application rates of the materials
selected depends on several factors: present and forecasted
pavement temperatures, wind direction and speed, type and
amount of precipitation, current pavement conditions, prior-
ity classification, availability of materials and equipment and
environmental considerations. Advances in material science
and application technology have provided snow fighters with
a more current and versatile "toolbox."
Public Works snow fighters – including operators, dispatch-
ers, mechanics, clerks and supervisors and auxiliary person-
nel from other divisions and departments – work long hours in
often hazardous conditions and severe weather to keep roads
safe and streets safely passable for the public. No matter the
duration of winter storms, whether shorter or longer, public
works agencies are in essence partners with the public. Area
citizens can work during the winter storms to help the public
works crews by restricting trips to those that are truly neces-
sary and allowing more time. Also, drivers can aid Public
Works storm fighters by going slowly, and creating greater
gaps between cars on snow and ice-covered roads.
Source: Contributed by American Public Works Association (APWA)